| Match Pictures | Matches: 1983 – 1984 |
Trivia
- Tommy McLean was Rangers’ caretaker manager after John Greig’s resignation.
- Rangers sent Celtic tickets on the Friday for the Govan Stand. Celtic fans were in three sides of Ibrox.
- There were 91 arrests before and after the match,
- In the Reserve League Celtic lost 2 – 1 to Rangers at Celtic Park. The Celtic team was Latchford, Traynor, McInally, Coyle, McGugan, Dobbin, Halpin, Shepherd, McAlindon, Grant, Archdeacon. Subs Baillie and Stephenson (McAlindon). The Celtic scorer was Halpin.
Review
Very little happened in a dull first half. Bad news for Celtic was that Provan was taken off after hurting an ankle and Celtic missed his width badly.
McGarvey gave them the lead with a fine shot from the edge of the area after great work by Paul McStay.
Burns scored a delightful second after a great one two with McGarvey and with McStay and Burns in control in midfield Celtic looked likely to score more.
However Cooper’s arrival lifted Rangers and after a flurry of near misses Clark scored.
Willie McStay had an excellent game as sweeper in place of the suspended Roy Aitken.
Teams
Rangers:- McCloy, McKinnon, Paterson, McClelland, Dawson, Nicholl, McPherson, Redford, McCoist (Cooper), Clark, Mitchell (MacDonald)
Goal:- Clark (86)
Celtic:- Bonner, McGrain, Brian Whittaker, W McStay, McAdam, MacLeod, Provan (Melrose), P McStay, McGarvey, Burns, McClair
Sub:- Sinclair
Goals:- McGarvey 53, Burns, 75.
Ref:- G Smith (Edinburgh)
Att:- 40,000 (Est).
Articles
- Match Report (See Below)
- Manager Interview – Davie Hay
“We have some injuries , Davie Provan has a muscle injury and will be out for a few weeks. Jim Melrose and Willie McStay have also picked up knocks, but theirs are less serious. We won’t be sure if they’ll make it for the Airdrie match until nearer the time.”
Pictures
Articles
Evening Times 7th November 1983
Interesting piece from the back page mentioning Rangers signing policy – or should that be lack of signing policy when it comes to Catholics…
Glasgow Herald 7th November 1983
Match Report
Celtic started at top speed but some very heavy tackles from the Rangers defence slowed things down and in the 18th minute Celtic were dealt a severe blow. Provan attempted to move past the home defence but Davie McKinnon and Jimmy Nicholl combined to put him on the ground. Surprisingly the referee allowed play to continue and it was only when play was halted when Nicholl fouled Frank McGarvey that Brian Scott (physio) was allowed to tend to the winger and he immediately decided that the player was not fit to continue. With Provan, left some of the threat of the Celtic attack.
By half time there was no scoring but each team had come close once and both ‘keepers became heroes with magnificent saves. Peter McCloy saved from McGarvey at close range when the striker ran on to a ball inside the box. Pat Bonner had brilliantly knocked a free-kick effort from outside the box over the bar.
The second half saw Celtic step up a bit and looked more dangerous. They always looked the more likely to win but it was only after Clark had missed from point blank range that they took the lead.
In the 53rd minute McStay rolled the ball along the edge of the box for McGarvey to shoot home with his left foot.
Twenty-two minutes later, Tommy Burns put the point well and truly out of Rangers’ grasp with a tremendous counter. Picking up the ball midway into the Rangers half, Burns played a quick one-two with McGarvey as he moved into the box past the defence and slipped the ball past the advancing McCloy.
With three minutes left on the clock, Rangers pulled one back through Clark after some confusion in the Celtic penalty area.
This was not a particularly entertaining match with defenders in each side being the busier men. McGrain and McAdam, in particular shone for Celtic.
The referee seemed unsure at times and it is not a true reflection of the physical side of the match that while Rangers gave away 20 fouls and had two players booked, in giving away 19 fouls Celtic had three booked.